Avoiding animal products does not mean you are missing out on protein. May you want to refuel after a workout or you are on the go, you can choose from a wide range of plant-based protein powders. They can be plain or flavored and can be mixed with water, non-dairy milk, oatmeal, smoothies, and other foods.
Plant foods such as peas, sunflower seeds, and rice are not protein packed the way fish and meat are. Nowadays, food processors can easily remove the carbs and fat and isolate protein that is found in such foods. Therefore, you can get vegan protein powders. You should note that most plant proteins are not complete. This means that they do not contain optimal levels of essential amino acids that support protein synthesis in the body. Fortunately, this is not a problem if you eat adequate amounts of plant proteins. The following are vegan protein powders and their nutritional highlights.
Pea Protein
Pea protein is not made from the sweet green peas but obtained from yellow split peas that contain a lot of proteins. It is estimated that a serving of 28 gram of pea protein powder contains about 21 grams of protein. However, this is likely to vary from one brand to another. The good thing about pea protein is that it is rich in branched-chain amino acids such as valine, isoleucine, and leucine that can help fuel the working muscles and even stimulate the body to make muscle protein.
Hemp Protein
Hemp protein is obtained from hemp plant seeds. This is a cannabis plant that contains trace amounts of THC. Unlike marijuana, it cannot make you high. A 28-gram serving of hemp protein powder has about 12 grams of protein and about 106 calories. This can vary from one brand to another. The good thing about hemp-based protein is that it helps lower blood pressure.
Pumpkin Seed Protein
When consumed in their whole form, they are rich in healthy fat and protein. They are processed into powder and fats removed. The purpose of removing fat is to reduce calories. It is also low in essential amino acids such as lysine and threonine. However, it is not a complete protein just like other plant-derived proteins.
Moreover, pumpkin seed protein is quite nutritious and contains high amounts of zinc, iron, and magnesium. Also, it contains other beneficial plant compounds. There is a need to do more research on pumpkin seeds and their proteins.…
